Science-Based Strategies Take Aim at HAIs

Richard J. Umbdenstock, president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association (AHA), concurred that HAI prevention is a major challenge but that the compendium is “a huge contribution” to prevention practices and also “represents professional consensus on infection prevention.” He called the compendium “accessible, understandable and actionable by every healthcare worker in the country.” Umbdenstock noted, “The nation’s infection control team now has a common playbook.” He added, “Hospitals welcome these strategies as clearly identifiable things that can be done to improve and measure their quality efforts. Working closely with this group has given us the opportunity to help ensure that this information can be put to work quickly on the front lines to make care better and safer for our patients.”

The compendium addresses the most common yet serious healthcare-acquired infections: urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections. The compendium’s lead author, Deborah Yukoe, MD, MPH, a SHEA spokesperson, noted, “We reviewed the guidelines and the literature to choose recommendations that were best supported by the science.”

With the support or endorsement of an additional 29 healthcare organizations, theCompendiumis expected to be a good starting point for addressing this critical public health issue before it worsens.

“In developing these strategies, we looked at all existing HAI guidelines and literature to create recommendations that are understandable, easy-to-use and stress accountability,” said David Classen, MD, IDSA spokesperson and co-author of the strategies.